Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series)

by Richards, K. R.

  Burrow was reluctantly working with The Department to implicate higher-ranking officials in England and abroad, so that he would go free when the business was finished.

  Because she and Charlie had been in love and had been lovers before her father forced her into marriage with the Marquess, Burrow could know nothing of her renewed relationship with Charlie. It would anger Burrow, and all of the men now involved in her life agreed it could endanger her. Burrow had always hated Charlie. Likewise, Charlie had always disliked him.

  Over the last four years, she and Charlie settled for brief encounters here and there and she had always looked forward to a few smuggled in letters from Charlie when St. Erth or Lord Ince called upon her.

  There had been a few times she and Charlie spent two or more days together. Far and few between, those times were precious to her, even more so today. One of their liaisons had been four months ago. Lord Ince had arranged for Burrow to go to London to complete a task for their case. Lord Roscarrow had taken her to a quaint farmhouse in Wiltshire where she and Charlie had spent four glorious days together. Their meals had been brought to them. They had basked in the euphoria of their love with complete privacy for the four days. It had been the happiest four days of her life. She hadn’t known then it would be the last time she saw Charlie.

  Charlie had happily informed her that the investigation involving Burrow was near an end. St. Erth had given him his promise to whisk her away the very day it ended.

  Charlie said they would marry as soon as could be afterward. They could start their lives anew and spend their remaining years together as each of them had intended to do all those years ago.

  Over a month ago, things had changed. Catherine realized she was with child. She conveyed as much to Marrek Penaluna, Lord St. Erth, in her weekly letter to him in India. Of course, it would take many weeks for him to receive the letter.

  Marrek had become her dear friend over the last four years. It was Marrek whom she spent most of her time with. He visited her almost weekly until he had to leave for India a year ago. They corresponded three times a week before that and once a week after he left for India. His letters were weeks old when she received them, but she cherished them, nonetheless. He was a very dear friend and a confidant to her.

  She let Lord Ince know of her condition immediately. He was in charge of her situation in Bath until Marrek returned. Since Burrow had lost the privilege to exercise his husbandly rights, and was restricted from coming anywhere near her for the last four years, it was now crucial that Catherine be removed from his house.

  Originally, she was to be removed from the Marquess’ large estate and placed in a cottage in a small village in North Devon somewhere near Charlie.

  Lord Ince had snuck a letter from Charlie to her just three weeks ago. He had been elated to learn about the coming of their child, and the fact that they could now be together more often, though she would be in hiding.

  Their union could not become public until the case was concluded and Burrow learned the only way he could walk free was to sign divorce papers.

  Catherine struggled to keep her composure as she remembered the day, less than a week ago when Lord Ince had requested an audience with her. His face had been ashen as he gave her the news. Charlie was dead. Gone. Her Charlie, the only man she ever loved. She would never see him again or speak to him. He would never see their child. They would never marry.

  Aside from the fact she carried Charlie’s child, she felt her life was bleak and meaningless.

  If it were not for their child, she would not wish to go on. She knew this.

  She had not heard from Marrek in weeks. Lord Ince explained to her that St. Erth’s mission in India likely kept him from writing to her. She missed him. He was always a source of strength to her. He helped her hang on, helped her stay strong and positive. She doubted he had received word of Charlie’s death yet. More than likely, he just barely learned she was carrying Charlie’s child.

  Lord Ince had arranged for her to go to Cornwall. He said he knew it was what St. Erth would want, and assured her she would be very safe. She would stay as a guest in Lord Ince’s home until St. Erth returned from India. Lord Ince seemed to think Marrek would return quickly following the receipt of the news regarding Charlie’s death.

  Lord Ince returned and presented her with a small plate of biscuits and a cup of tea. Absently she ate a few bites, only because she knew the babe needed it. Their babe was everything to her now. It was truly all she had left of Charlie. She sipped her tea, while she tried desperately to keep her composure.

  She stood when Lady Wednesday approached her.

  “Lady Burrow, it means a great deal to us that you came to us today all the way from Bath.”

  “Call me Catherine, Wednesday. We are dear friends after all.” She hugged her childhood friend.

  “I wanted to be here for you, Tuesday and your parents, for we all grew up together,” Catherine’s voice broke with the emotion threatening to spill from her. She felt Lord Ince move to stand beside her, ever ready to jump in if he were needed.

  “Of course, Catherine,” Lady Wednesday sniffed and continued, “Charlie always favored you. I remember when he was sixteen, he informed us at the dinner table one evening that he loved you and he wished to marry you. As you can imagine, mother and father were quite surprised. I remember Tuesday and I giggled, we thought it was the most amusing thing. Father merely told Charlie it would be wise for him to wait until he finished University to think about marriage.”

  Catherine gave Wednesday a small, wistful smile, “He said that?” A tear trickled down her cheek. Another followed it.

  “Yes,” Wednesday’s eyes watered as well. She lifted her spectacles and dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief.

  Lady Wednesday was summoned to her mother’s side. She excused herself.

  “Perhaps some air would be helpful, Lady Burrow. I suggest we stroll in the gardens for a bit,” Lord Ince placed her hand upon his arm as she began to sag against him. He whispered, “Lean against me, Lady Burrow. I have you.”

  Numbly, Catherine nodded and allowed Lord Ince to lead her away from the drawing room.

  Roseland Abbey, Hartland Devon, June 1834

  “Thank you for coming to join us at Roseland this evening, Catherine.” Grace reached out to take the hand of her long-time friend, Catherine Hewett, the Marchioness of Burrow.

  “I am happy for you, Grace. Lord Ince told me on the way from Swandown Manor of your wedding this morning to Fitzlewis.” Catherine managed a smile. She was so happy Owen and Grace had finally married. It had been a long time in coming.

  “My mourning period from Lord Marston’s death is not yet over, but Owen would not leave Roseland without our being wed. He obtained a special license before we left London.” Grace smiled happily. “Tomorrow we leave for Cornwall. We expect to be there for a month or two. When we return, we can announce our marriage.”

  “I will be joining you on your journey to Cornwall. Lord Ince has arranged it,” Catherine said nervously.

  “Oh?”

  “Grace, there is so much you do not know. There is so much I can’t tell you. You have been such a dear friend to me all these years. I wish I could share all with you, but I cannot,” Catherine shook her head. Tears threatened. She willed herself to be strong and continue, “What I can tell you is this; I am removing to Cornwall for an indefinite period of time. What with circumstances, and now Lord Silverley’s…” Catherine stopped at the realization of her error. She took a deep breath, “Oh well…” Catherine sniffed and dabbed at her watery eyes. “Many things have happened and just about everything in my life has changed, Grace.”

  Grace noted how sad her friend appeared. She remembered the gossip Meg Bell had repeated to her over four years before, “Everyone knows Charlie and Catherine were deeply in love. Her father forbade her to see Charlie as he had already made arrangements for her to marry the Marquess.”

  Grace didn’t ask Catherine
any questions. Her friend was clearly deeply saddened and upset.

  She took Catherine’s hand in hers. “I’m here for you, Catherine. I want you to know that. You look as if you could use some tea, I’ll ring for some.”

  Catherine dabbed at the tears spilling down her cheeks and offered her friend a half-hearted smile as she nodded.

  Owen Darrington, Lord Fitzlewis, entered the parlour with the Earl of Ince.

  “My Lady, it is good to see you again.” Owen gave a nod to the Marchioness.

  “It is good to see both you and Grace, Fitzlewis.”

  “Lady Burrow, may I have a word with you?” Lord Ince extended his hand and helped Catherine to her feet.

  “Excuse us, Grace. I shall return in a moment. We have travel details to discuss,” Catherine said as she walked with Lord Ince to a small study next door to the parlour.

  “I have good news, Lady Burrow.” Ruan smiled kindly at her as she sat.

  “I could use some good news, Lord Ince.” Catherine gave him a half-hearted smile.

  “St. Erth set foot on English soil just the day before yesterday. It was no doubt the reason we have not heard from him in nearly a month. He is in London. He plans to leave the day after tomorrow and will join us in Cornwall very soon. You will be a guest at his home, Penhallow. Lord Roscarrow acquired Lord Burrow’s signature on your divorce papers and was to arrive in London with them today. St. Erth will see the divorce is handled quickly.”

  Tears streamed down Catherine’s cheeks. “I will be free?” she whispered in disbelief. When the realization sunk in moments later, she smiled brightly, despite her tears. “I will be free.”

  “Yes, Lady Burrow. You will finally be free. Your new home will be in Cornwall. St. Erth wants me to assure you that you shall be protected and cared for. Your new life shall begin upon your arrival at Penhallow when he returns. I will escort you back to the parlour to join Lady Fitzlewis.” Ruan offered Lady Burrow his handkerchief.

  When she dried her tears, he offered her his arm and led her back to the parlour. He and St. Erth had been in charge of her protection for the last four years. She was a sweet, gentle lady, and a brave one. Despite the fact that she had lived in confinement much like a prison for the last six or so years and had endured serious abuse from her husband, Lady Burrow was always happy, cheerful and positive. Until Lord Silverley’s death. Ruan was overjoyed her time for freedom had come at last. He only wished it could have been a happier occasion for her. As it was, Charlie had perished at the hands of the Brown Coats in London.

  Lyndhurst House, London. June 1834

  “Good work, Creed. Lady Burrow is officially divorced,” Marrek Penaluna, the Earl of St. Erth, smiled as he clapped his colleague, Creed St. Germans, Lord Roscarrow, on the back.

  “I only wish her freedom could be a happy occasion for her now. With Charlie’s death…” Creed’s voice trailed off. He turned his head and look down the deserted long, marble-floored central hallway of Lyndhurst House.

  Marrek swallowed the lump in his throat. He knew Kitty must be devastated upon the death of her true love, Charles Inwood, Lord Silverley, also his close friend. “As do I Creed. I wish things could have turned out differently for Catherine. And for Charlie.”

  Marrek wondered if his words were a lie. He thought for a moment. No, he knew Kitty would be hurting. He cared for her too much for her to ever want her to suffer this kind of emotional pain, the death of her true love. Yet, he cared for her more than enough to do what he was about to do upon his return to Cornwall.

  Marrek spoke again, “Ruan is taking her to Menadue where she will be a guest until I can return and take her on to Penhallow. There is trouble at Menadue, but Ruan assured me Trevan believes the situation is under control.”

  “Does she know her fate yet?” Creed asked.

  “No. I will tell her upon my arrival to Menadue. We will have to act quickly to protect her babe from Burrow.” As an afterthought he added, “Creed, I would prefer Stephen not know yet. I will tell him after I arrive in Cornwall and the deed is done. I am certain he will try to talk me out of it.”

  Creed nodded. “He might. You have spoken to His Majesty?”

  “I just came from there. I have his blessing. Burrow made his formal accusation and I plead guilty to being the cause of the alienation of his wife’s affections. His Majesty accepted the testimonies and granted Catherine a divorce from Burrow without trials. I paid the fine. She is free.”

  “Good. At least we have saved her from that monster she was married to.” Creed nodded. He asked, “Where is Stephen?”

  “He had some business to tend to. He wishes for us to be present for dinner.”

  “I can’t stay for dinner. I visited Lachlan at his townhouse earlier. His family invited me to dine with them. I think he could use the company. His mama and sisters are smothering him.” Creed grinned.

  “How is he?” Marrek asked in concern.

  “He is as good as can be expected after receiving the wounds he did at Wychcombe House. He has a difficult time walking, but as you well know, he is stubborn. He pushes himself and walks every day to regain the use of his leg. His shoulder troubles him, but he seems to be able to use his arm fairly well.”

  “That is good to hear,” Marrek said. “I must dress for dinner and be downstairs before Stephen returns. Are you traveling with me to Cornwall? I wish to leave at dawn tomorrow morning.” Marrek had to see Kitty. He would not wait another day.

  “Go on without me, Marrek. I shall leave the day after. I’ve business to tend to for my family at the solicitor’s office in the morning. I shall stay here tomorrow evening and leave at dawn the next day.”

  “Good. I should like to visit Lachlan later this evening if I can manage. If I do not see you again this evening or before dawn, have a safe journey home.”

  Creed smiled. “I doubt you shall see me before dawn. It will be good to get home to Kernow and stay awhile, eh?”

  “You don’t know how good it will be. I’ve been gone for a little over a year,” Marrek said. He missed his home. And he missed Kitty. Now Kitty would be make her home with him. He had to see for himself that Charlie’s death hadn’t broken her.

  An hour later, on his way downstairs to the drawing room, Stephen’s butler, Griggs, informed Marrek he had a visitor waiting in the parlour.

  “Who is the visitor?” Marrek asked.

  “Mr. Nightshade, sir.” Griggs informed him.

  “Ah, very good. I wasn’t expecting him to return to Town so soon. Thank you, Griggs.”

  “Shade,” Marrek said as he entered the parlour.

  “St. Erth.” Francis Nightshade stood near window looking out over Lyndhurst House’s formal gardens, bathed in darkness. He was in evening attire.

  “You are returned weeks sooner than I thought you would be. And your mission?” Marrek asked.

  “Completed. The spy in the Nawab’s Palace shall not pose any further problems for our country.”

  “Excellent news. Did you find proof that Shuja was also responsible for attempting to exterminate me before I left India?”

  Nightshade shook his head. “I found no proof. He did not own to it before I eliminated our problem.”

  “Hmm. Interesting. No matter.” Marrek shrugged. “He did not succeed and I am alive. Where shall I send your payment, to your London address?”

  “No. I am returning to the country tomorrow.”

  “Shall I send it to you there?”

  “I’ve no need of it. Send it to Lily’s family in the Lake District, as usual.”

  Marrek nodded. Noting his friend’s attire, he asked, “Do you have plans for dinner this evening?”

  “Yes, I am joining you and Lyndhurst. I saw him at the offices earlier when I dropped in.”

  “Very well, let’s make our way to the drawing room then.”

  After dinner, Lord Lyndhurst’s daughter, Anna, excused herself, leaving the men to their brandy.

  After they talked for
a time, Nightshade rose. “I must be going. I must call upon a friend tonight as I am leaving for Nottinghamshire tomorrow. If you gentlemen will excuse me.”

  “Good night, Shade. If you’ve need of me, I am leaving for Cornwall tomorrow and hope to be there for the entire summer,” Marrek offered.

  Shade nodded to Marrek. He turned to his superior. “Lyndhurst.”

  “Good evening, Shade. Enjoy the country. You won’t be summoned unless it is a matter of great import,” Stephen assured him. “It was excellent work done by you, in India. His Majesty shall be pleased.”

  Nightshade gave his superior a nod. “Thank you. I am hoping to enjoy the peaceful quiet of summer in the country.”

  “So you met with the King earlier, I heard,” Stephen mentioned to Marrek after Nightshade had left them alone in the dining room.

  “Yes, I did. I briefed him on Burrow’s case and secured the divorce for Lady Burrow, who is now Catherine Feywood.”

  “Ah, very good. I am certain she will be relieved.”

  “She does not know yet. I can assure you she will be relieved. Ruan will receive the message I sent very soon.”

  “It’s a pity about Silverley. Such a shame,” Stephen Johnstone, Lord Lyndhurst and the head of the Department, said as he shook his head.

  “It is a tragedy, for all of us who knew him; but Catherine in particular,” Marrek said solemnly.

  “I have an appointment and must leave in the next quarter hour, but I will be at my club later, say in two hours time. Do you care to join me there?”

  “No. I am going to visit Lord Gryfe for about an hour. Creed is there already. I shall return and go to bed. I leave at first light tomorrow.”